[mou] request for documentation

[Kim R. Eckert]

Since the Spring 2003 season has ended and seasonal reports from observers
are now due, this would be a good time to remind birders of those reports
of unusual species which still need to be documented. Most of these were
posted on the mou-net listserve. While birders are certainly free to
include anything they wish on their personal and unpublished lists,
sightings of Accidental, Casual and rare-Regular species can only be
published by the MOU and included in its archives of bird records when
accompanied by documentation.

If you were an observer of any of the records listed below and are
interested in documenting the record, the MOU would appreciate your
assistance. Some of these reports were accompanied by some partial details,
but additional documentation is still needed; also note some of the
collared-doves may have been seen or documented in 2002, but their 2003
occurrences still requires documentation:

Spring 2003 -

Red-throated Loon, 22 April, Little Rock L., Benton Co.
White-faced Ibis, 21 April, Lino Lakes, Anoka Co.
White-faced Ibis, 4 May, Morris/Big Stone birding festival (location?)
Plegadis ibis, 3 May, Bass Ponds, Hennepin Co.
Barrow's Goldeneye, 2 April, Long Meadow L., Hennepin Co.
White-tailed Kite, 23 April, near Wrenshall, Carlton Co.
Mississippi Kite, 10 May, Hyland Lake Park, Hennepin Co.
Yellow Rail, 18 April, Carlos Avery WMA, Anoka Co.
Ruff, 17 May, Bunker Hills Park, Anoka Co.
Eurasian Collared-Dove, 10 March, Renville, Renville Co.
Eurasian Collared-Dove, 16 March, Amboy, Blue Earth Co.
Eurasian Collared-Dove, 13 April, Russell, Lyon Co.
Eurasian Collared-Dove, 15 April, Willmar, Kandiyohi Co.
Eurasian Collared-Dove, 10 May, Caledonia, Houston Co.
White-winged Dove, late April, near Ely, Lake Co.
Le Conte's Sparrow, 22 March, Myre Big Island S.P., Freeborn Co.
Great-tailed Grackle, 13 April, Grover's L., Jackson Co.
Great-tailed Grackle, 18 April, Sleepy Eye, Brown Co.

There are also these reports of rarities from 2002 and from last winter
which have yet to be documented. Since months have passed since their
occurrence, it may be unlikely that any documentations are forthcoming.
Unfortunately, unless someone still has some notes or details on these
reports, they won't be able to be included in the MOU's archives of bird
records:

White-faced Ibis, 4 September 2002, near Tyler, Lincoln Co.
Plegadis ibis, early September 2002, Island L., Lyon Co.
Barrow's Goldeneye, 30 January - March 2003, Fergus Falls, Otter Tail Co.
White-tailed Kite, 18 August 2002, near Rushfeldt L., Clay Co.
Mississippi Kite, 19 August 2002, Minnetonka (?), Hennepin Co.
Mississippi Kite, 3 September 2002, Apple Valley, Dakota Co.
Ferruginous Hawk, 21 October 2002, near Boise L., Brown Co.
Gyrfalcon, 31 October 2002, Grand Marais, Cook Co.
Prairie Falcon, 29 June 2002, near Revere, Redwood Co.
Ruff, 6 September 2002, Castle Rock, Dakota Co.
Franklin's Gull, 21 December 2002, Hastings CBC (location?)
Eurasian Collared-Dove, 10 June 2002, near Perham, Otter Tail Co.
Anna's Hummingbird, 5 August 2002, near Fergus Falls, Otter Tail Co.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 14 February 2003, Gunflint Lodge, Cook Co.
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, early June 2002, near Finland, Lake Co.
Orange-crowned Warbler, early September 2002, Agassiz NWR, Marshall Co.
Lark Bunting, 23 May 2002, Lac Qui Parle Co. (location?)
Great-tailed Grackle, 11 August 2002, Bat L., Cottonwood Co.

There are 3 ways to provide documentation:

1) By e-mail or regular U.S. mail, send me as complete a description as
possible of the bird, any field notes or photographs which were taken, a
comparison of this bird with similar species, your experience with this and
similar species, whether or not you knew it was unusual, if and when field
guides were used or needed to identify the bird, the light conditions,
distance involved, how long the bird was seen, and the optics used.

Or (2) by e-mail or regular mail, send me your mailing address, and I will
send you an MOU documentation form which outlines the requested information
for you to fill in.

Or (3) you can download this form from the MOU's website, <mou.mn.org>.

Again, seeing a rare bird and adding it to your personal list is certainly
enjoyable in its own right, but when your sighting is also documented and
sent in to the MOU it also serves as an important contribution to our
knowledge of Minnesota bird distribution. If you have any questions, please
don't hesitate to contact me. On behalf of the MOU, thanks in advance for
your help and your contribution to Minnesota ornithology!


Kim Eckert
Chairman, MOU Records Committee
8255 Congdon Blvd.
Duluth MN 55804
(218) 525-6930
kreckert@cpinternet.com